The region’s three leading noncommunicable diseases — which are chronic and lifestyle illnesses — are diabetes, heath disease, and cancer.
“The mortality rate for these diseases in the Pacific ranges from 75 to 80 percent,” Waqanivalu said.
These diseases are caused primarily by tobacco smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet.
“WHO treats this as a very serious concern,” Waqanivalu said. “The WHO projection is not only on the mortality rate but premature deaths. Folks are dying in their 30s, 40s, 50s, due to these lifestyle diseases. People are dying before their retirement and so this not only a health issue but an economic issue as well.”
Initiated by Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service, the three-day workshop aims to create awareness and develop a five-year strategic plan focusing on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases in the CNMI.
Waqanivalu said although there is still no concrete and validated data available about these diseases in the CNMI, WHO believes that the islands have among the “highest and alarming rates” based on the initial data indicating that among adolescents from 13 to 17 years old, 25 percent are obese and have diabetes.
“With that figure alone among the adolescents, you can imagine how much is it for the whole population in the CNMI,” Waqanivalu said. “That would be a quite high figure and this is a serious problem.”
WHO, he said, aims to get the commitment of the stakeholders — the government, members of the community and families — in addressing the problem.
A draft of the strategic plan proposes the development of public health policies pertaining to zoning that will provide enough space for physical activities; legislation that will discourage smoking and use of alcohol; creating environment support systems such as pathways; strengthening community actions by empowering members; and developing personal education on health issues.
“The big focus is to shift the attention from purely looking at the individual to the population and have a champion individual and agencies to continue the efforts,” Waqanivalu said.
Today, a signing ceremony will be conducted for various agencies and nonprofit organizations that will support the implementation of the strategic plan.
“Our focus is to prevent and control tobacco and alcohol use and persuade the people to stick to a healthy diet,” Waqanivalu said.
He said American Samoa has, so far, the highest rate in terms of diabetes and obesity at 30 percent.
NMC-CREES nutrition and health programs team leader Patricia Coleman said a “multisectoral approach” is the only way the CNMI can address the problem.
She said the presence of nearly 50 participants in the workshop is an indication of their commitment to support the strategic plan.
“Having policies and legislation that are conducive to healthy living can create a culture of healthy living in the CNMI,” she added.
